The 2016 PRESS RELEASE

SINGSTRONG A CAPPELLA FESTIVAL FIGHTS ALZHEIMER’S3 Day A cappella Music Festival Raises Money For Charity

SKOKIE, IL – March 11, 12, 13, 2016 –professional a cappella groups from around the world will perform with collegiate and HS groups at the fourth annual SingStrong International Charity A cappella Festival in Skokie, IL. SingStrong, will feature appearances by FACE, midwest rockers featured on NBC's "The Sing-Off"; ACCENT, a European jazz supergroup representing five countries; Julia Easterlin, the award-winning indie live looper featured at Lollapalooza; Diana Preisler, Star of "Pitch Slapped" on Lifetime TV; Vocaldente the German swing group that won National Harmony Sweepstakes; New Tradition Chorus the 19-time international medallist barbershop choir; and over a dozen more groups!

The all-vocal event consists of five concerts and over a dozen classes and coachings, all featuring nothing but the human voice. Event profits support charity, with a silent auction to benefit the fight against Alzheimer's, and ticket and merchandise proceeds supporting local music programs.

Styles will include pop, jazz, rock, barbershop, reggae-tone, beatbox and more, all performed completely a cappella. Many audience members have trouble believing that the sounds are completely vocal. Groups will use only their voices to perform leads, harmonies and to vocally imitate a virtual orchestra of sounds –including jazz trumpet, classical strings, distorted electric guitar and a full drum set –all without instruments of any kind.

The SingStrong 7PM Friday Night Concert, “ACA-IDOL,” is an a cappella competition for professional and collegiate groups in the style of American Idol. Celebrity judges give live feedback. First place is $1,000, and audience members get to vote using their cell phones to help determine the winner.

The SingStrong matinee concert on Saturday at 2PM features a High School Competition with awards for performance, arranging and composition, as judged by respected a cappella educators from around the country.

Beginning at 9:30AM on Saturday and 10AM on Sunday, SingStrong will present over a dozen classes on such topics as recording techniques, stage presence, forming and directing an a cappella group, beatboxing, vocal health, and musical arranging. From beginners to pros, these classes are designed to help anyone interested in a cappella take their skills to the next level. Attending a cappella groups will also enjoy free private coachings with their weekend passes.

For singers who attend without a group to perform with, SingStrong offers an open a cappella group, The Single Singers. Attendees sign up, get their music online, rehearse independently, and briefly at the festival, and then perform on the mainstage. Past Single Singers boast members from tween to octogenarian!

“Where else can you find an audience giving a standing ovation to both urban street performers and classically trained singers in the same show?” asked Jonathan Minkoff, the executive producer for the all-vocal festival.